Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-29
REORGANIZATION OF THE DIS
TRICT MILITIA.
Inc President to Take Action Before
the National Drill.

TIE NATTER CONSIDERED BY THE WAR DEPARTMENT
BRIGADIER GENERAL TO HAVE CoMMAND-OFFI-
GERS TO BE COMMISSIONED, AND PRIvATEs ENLISTED.
TOT the reorganization of the District militia leaves
the local military companies In q very anomalous
condition, especially as regards participation in
the national drill. They all distinct and Sepa-
rate from each other; the commanding officers,
with perhaps one or two exceptions, do not hold
commissions, and the men are not regularly en-
listed. Under the rules and regulations for the
national drill none of the local companies could
enter into competition. II by sufferance Of other
organizations they should be allowed to compete,
they could not be. entitled to receive
a prize, although they might be the
acknowiedged superiOrs of all other competitors.
Win tnlS view OF the case, strong effort is being
made to have all the local militia reorganized on
sound military basis before the opening OF the ma
tiona DRILL In order that all possible objections to
thelr organization may be removed. The matter
mas been brought to the attention OF the War De-
partment, and Is now in the hands OF Adjutant
tion. AS soon as the best method has been decided
upon IL Will be submitted to the President for
action.
THE PROPOSED PLAN
Is to secure an organization under the old law OF
1903, which empowered the President to commits
sion officers for the District militia. Although
many OF the provisions Of the law referred to are
oDSolete and ridiculous In the light OF the advance
IuenG In military organizations OF tne present. taI
power is, 1t IS said Still operative and if exercised
Will settle the whole question.
While the general plan has been practically de-
termlned, there are details to be adjusted which
will require careful consideration. The first step
is to have the President commission somebody u
brfgadier-general of militia, who shall be in COM
mand OF all the different local organizations. tits
understood that private citizen will be recon-
mended for the office, and not OF the District
commissioners, as was recommended by the chief
OF ordnance.
NO CHANGE OF THE PRESENT ORGANIZATIONS.
1t Is not intended to change In any way the
present organization of the different companies,
for fear of arousing feelings Of discomfort and
Jealousy. With brigadier general in command,
IL is proposed to secure through him commissions
for the officers OF the different organizations and
then to regularly enlist the men belonging to
them. The enlistment may be only temporary.
and after the drill privateS who wish can be nom
Orably discharged. with credit for past services.
IL, a year from now, they wish to re-enlist. they
Will have their honorable-discharge papers to
snow. III no unexpected obstacle IS encountered,
1t is thought that The above simple plan will solve
the problem OF the status OF the District militia,
ana Will enable any OF the organizations to enter
the drill competitions on equal footing with the
national guard OF the States.
THE NATIONAL GUARD OUR ARMY IN CASE OF WAR.
"By the way" said an army officer to a STAR re-
porter this morning. "the national guard will be our
army In case OF war, and all that we can do to i'm
prove 1t should be done gladly and Immediately.
In the event OF war the regular army will probably
be practically dissolved in the militia, and If it is
not IL should be. regular army OF % 600 men
Tor 6O.OOO,OOO people VIII amount to nothing in
time OF war. The army should be regarded as
training school simply for the benefit of the
regular army officers at the disposal OF the gov
ernOrS OF the States, to organize and assume COM
lnand or The volunteer troops would, Think be
the best disposition of our army officers in war